(a) By January 4, 2016, the department shall provide for a selection process and criteria based on merit for verified applicants for medical cannabis dispensary licenses; provided that the selection process, at minimum, includes the criteria of section 329D-7(3).
(b) This selection process shall be utilized by the department to grant medical cannabis dispensary licenses. Licensees selected will be announced by April 15, 2016. A dispensary licensed pursuant to this chapter may begin dispensing not sooner than July 15, 2016, with the approval of the department.